Seals and sea lions are pinnipeds and they are some of the most charismatic mammals around the Channel Islands. Often compared to dogs, pinnipeds are in the same Order as their canine cousins.

California sea lion pup indicators

A figure showing live pup counts (top) and female sea lion pup growth (bottom) for California sea lion pups on San Miguel Island from 1997 to 2019. Figure credit: NOAA.

A figure showing live pup counts (top) and female sea lion pup growth (bottom) for California sea lion pups on San Miguel Island from 1997 to 2019. Figure credit: NOAA.

Click for Details Live pup count (top) and female pup growth index for California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) from 1997 to 2019. Recent trends in pup counts have been stable, but declining for pup growth likely due to low availability of prey resources in central and southern California, which is the foraging range of nursing females. Symbol at upper right indicates whether data over the last five years (green shaded areas) had a positive trend ( ), a negative trend (), or no trend (↔). Symbol at lower right indicates whether the mean over the past five years was greater than (+), less than (–), or within 1 standard deviation (●) of the mean of the full time series. For more information, consult Figure App.F.13.24_new in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

California sea lion (Zalophus californianus)

A figure showing counts of California sea lion pups from 1975 to 2011. Figure credit: Carretta et al. 2016.

A figure showing counts of California sea lion pups from 1975 to 2011. Figure credit: Carretta et al. 2016.

Click for Details U.S. pup count index for California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) from 1975 to 2011. Trends in pup counts from 1975–2011 are shown for four rookeries in southern California and for haulouts in central and northern California. For more information, consult Figure App.F.13.23 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina)

A figure showing the population size of harbor seals in California from 1984 to 2014 on the Channel Islands and on the mainland coast. Figure credit: Carretta et al. 2016.

A figure showing the population size of harbor seals in California from 1984 to 2014 on the Channel Islands and on the mainland coast. Figure credit: Carretta et al. 2016.

Click for Details Population size of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in California is estimated by counting the number of seals ashore during the peak haulout period (May to July) and by multiplying this count by a correction factor. The population on Channel Islands beaches (triangle) appears to be stable. For more information, consult Figure App.F.13.25 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris)

A figure showing the estimated number of northern elephant seal births from 1958 to 2010 on the Channel Islands and in Central California. Figure credit: Carretta et al. 2016.

A figure showing the estimated number of northern elephant seal births from 1958 to 2010 on the Channel Islands and in Central California. Figure credit: Carretta et al. 2016.

Click for Details Estimated number of northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) births in California from 1958 to 2010. There has been an increasing trend over the entire time series for Channel Islands (circles). Elephant seals have increased in abundance and taken up residence at locations on Santa Rosa Island that have historically not been inhabited (S. Whitaker, CINP, pers. comm.). For more information, consult Figure App.F.13.26 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

Northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus)

A figure showing the number of Northern fur seal pups counted at two locations on San Miguel Island from 1972 to 2014. Figure credit: Carretta et al. 2016.

A figure showing the number of Northern fur seal pups counted at two locations on San Miguel Island from 1972 to 2014. Figure credit: Carretta et al. 2016.

Click for Details Total production of Northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) pups counted on San Miguel Island, including the mainland (Adam’s Cove) and the offshore islet (Castle Rock), from 1972–2014. The total production of northern fur seals exceeded the 1997 levels during 2010, 2012, and 2013. The island’s population has recovered from the 1997–1998 El Niño event. For more information, consult Figure App.F.13.27 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.